Experimental and analytical study on behaviour of model piled rafts in sand subjected to horizontal and moment loading

A series of static horizontal load tests were carried out on model piled rafts at 1-g gravitational field by using dry Toyoura sand. In order to examine the effects of confined stress on soil modulus and confirm the similitude for the present 1-g models, triaxial consolidated drained shear tests of the sand were conducted. Two experimental variables were considered, i.e. the height of the acting force, and the rigidity of the pile head connection. Also presented in this paper are the results of the simplified three-dimensional deformation analyses of the model tests, which shows the reasonable agreement with the experimental results in the initial elastic region. From the model tests and the analyses, it is shown that horizontal displacement and inclination of the raft, and bending moments of piles for a given horizontal load are increased as the height of horizontal loading point (i.e. moment load) is increased. It is also shown that horizontal displacement and inclination of the raft and bending moments of piles are reduced in the piled raft with hinged pile head connection compared to the piled raft with rigid pile head connection when subjected to horizontal load and the associated moment load.